LeBron backs Muhammad Ali documentary

The Cleveland Cavaliers star will be the executive producer of an HBO documentary on Muhammad Ali, who died earlier this year.

The yet-to-be-named film will be directed and produced by Antoine Fuqua, who also helmed the boxing drama Southpaw and Training Day.

"It's tough to put into words how much it means to me to be a part of this project honouring the legacy and telling the extremely important story of the great Muhammad Ali," James said.

HBO says the documentary, which will combine archival footage and cinematic reactions, will "explore Ali's greatest triumphs and comebacks, painting an intimate portrait of a man who, against all odds, dreamed and achieved the impossible, over and over again."

Ali's family is also participating in the project, and his widow, Lonnie Ali, was excited about James' involvement.